Reformation Revolution Renovation

"The early seventeenth century witnessed a dramatic upsurge of proposals for change, in particular in religion, politics, and knowledge. In Reformation, Revolution, Renovation, Lyke de Vries offers an account of the Rosicrucian manifestos in this transformative context. She focuses on their call for a general reformation and traces it to medieval and early modern predecessors. The manifestos, commonly portrayed as either Lutheran or esoteric, are here analysed as revolutionary mission statements, which challenged established religious and academic authorities, drawing on various heterodox notions and radical traditions. Emphasising the universal character of these manifestos in the first book-length study of the topic, Lyke de Vries convincingly shows how their authors channeled early modern sentiments into a message of universal change, which provoked numerous strong responses from early modern readers"--

At the centre of the Rosicrucian manifestos was a call for ‘general reformation’. In Reformation, Revolution, Renovation, the first book-length study of this topic, Lyke de Vries demonstrates the unique position of the Rosicrucian call for reform in the transformative context of the early seventeenth century. The manifestos, commonly interpreted as either Lutheran or esoteric, are here portrayed as revolutionary mission statements which broke dramatically with Luther’s reform ideals. Their call for reform instead resembles a variety of late medieval and early modern dissenting traditions as well as the heterodox movement of Paracelsianism. Emphasising the universal character of the Rosicrucian proposal for change, this new genealogy of the core idea sheds fresh light on the vexed question of the manifestos’ authorship and helps explain their tumultuous reception by both those who welcomed and those who deplored them.

Ramism and the Reformation of Method explores the popular early modern movement of Ramism and its ambitious attempt to transform Church and society. It considers the relation of Ramism to Reformed Christianity and its development as a divine logic attuned to understanding both Scripture and the world. In doing so, it reveals how Ramists rejected the notion of a philosophy or worldview independent of God and sought to encompass everything under an overarching Christian philosophy indebted to Franciscan ideals. The supreme goal of the Ramists was the remaking of the world in the image of the Triune God.

Thomas Vaughan’s challenging books on alchemy, magic, and other esoterica make better sense in the context of the Rosicrucian ideas he introduced to English readers in the seventeenth century. This is the first scholarly book on his life, sources, writings, and subsequent influence.

Have you ever heard of the Rosicrucian Order? This intriguing society has fascinated and captivated many for centuries, but what exactly does it mean to be a part of this group? What is the story of its creation, who are its members today, and what are their beliefs? A mysterious movement that began in Germany during the early 17th century, the Rosicrucian Orders have been active for over 400 years. Their teachings have sparked the imaginations of men for generations, with their symbol representing secrets and mysteries to be unlocked. This guide will explore what Rosicrucianism is, what they believe in, who their historical leaders and founders are, where you can find them today, and what teachings or practices define this mysterious movement.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1871.